Wilgenhof: Settlement reached concerning Council’s decision 

STELLENBOSCH (October 23, 2024) – The Association for the Advancement of Wilgenhof Residents (‘AWIR’) and Stellenbosch University (‘SU’) have settled the litigation between them concerning the SU Council’s decision to close the Wilgenhof residence in 2025. 

The parties acknowledge the need to make a decisive break with unacceptable and secretive practices of the past and that the events that have occurred since the discovery of the two rooms and their contents in Wilgenhof should be seen as a pivotal moment and used as a catalyst for the transformation of SU and its residences. 

In addition the AWIR and the Wilgenhof House Committee acknowledge the need for ongoing renewal and change while AWIR and the Wilgenhof House Committee express their commitment to participate in the facilitated renewal and rejuvenation process, and thereby contribute to the further transformation of residences at SU. 

SU is encouraged by the commitment to change shown by the Wilgenhof House Committee and the students’ commitment to the facilitated rejuvenation process and SU regrets and deplores the fact that current Wilgenhof students may have been unfairly labelled, ostracised and isolated. SU recognises that Wilgenhof students may have experienced unfair victimisation, abuse, reputational harm and trauma. It was not SU’s intention to demonise the Wilgenhof students, but to ensure a decisive break with past unacceptable and secretive practices. 

As part of the agreement to settle the litigation, in the first semester the 2025 Wilgenhof students, together with new first year students who will be allocated to the residence will be entitled to all move to a new residence together and to retain the current House Committee. SU will conduct as much of the necessary renovations of the building as possible during the first semester. The students, including the new first years, will be entitled, should they wish to do so, to return in the second semester even if some of the upgrades need to be completed after the residents have returned.   

The parties look forward to working together to shape a rejuvenated residence consistent with SU’s values.  

“Our intent is not, and has never been to target or demonise current students but to ensure a decisive break with past unacceptable and secretive practices. As such, SU supports bringing residents back to the Wilgenhof residence once sufficient progress with refurbishment has been made. The key aspect for Council is the output of the facilitated process which is critical in shaping the renewed, reimagined, and rejuvenated residence. This is intended to be a pivotal point of meaningful and systemic change and to give expression to the University’s desire to foster an environment where all students can thrive in a community that upholds the values of inclusivity, respect, and excellence and that is aligned with SU’s Vision 2040, SU values, Code 2040, the spirit of its Restitution Statement, and the South African Constitution.  We look forward to all stakeholders supporting this journey,” said SU Council Chair Nicky Newton-King.

“We are very pleased that our sons will be able to stay together with their Wilgenhof friends and support network in 2025, and that the welcoming and inclusive community they created will be shared by new first year students next year. It also importantly means that the Wilgenhof House Leadership team – chosen by current residents - will be recognised by the university. This settlement goes a long way in addressing the uncertainty and unfair treatment our sons have had to deal with this year. As parents, and as Wilgenhof residents, we are committed to the renewal of Wilgenhof’s traditions. We are certain our sons will take on the task of renewal and change at Wilgenhof in their stride,” said Noelani King-Conradie, spokesperson for AWIR.

Joint Statement issued by Stellenbosch University and the Association for the Advancement of Wilgenhof Residents (AWIR), 23 October 2024